Felix, a squatty black cat with wide eyes and a recognizable smile, is the first true animation star. His popularity during the silent film era matched that of film stars.
It’s time to watch the screen to sing along with his introduction
The Early Years
Felix’s origins are disputable; but linked to Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer
His prototype’s first appearance is disputable, either Feline Follies (1919) or Tail of Thomas the Kat – but Felix wasn’t the name in either
Adventures of Felix (1919) marked the appearance of Felix as the name
Besides is his popularity, there was a successful transition from screen to print with over 250 newspapers in syndication with the comic strip
Supporting characters include Willie Jones (his master), Skiddoo (mouse), Inky, Dinky, & Winky (nephews, and Kitty (girlfriend)
US Navy Fighter Squadron 2-B chose Felix as a mascot, thus appeared holding a bomb on the side of F-3 biplanes (1920s)
New York Yankees adopt Felix as the team mascot (1922)
Logansport High School (Indiana) choses Felix as the school mascot (1926), and remains so today … although their nickname is the Berries
Charles Lindbergh took a Felix doll on his historic solo flight across the Atlantic (1927)
Felix appeared as the first balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (1927)
RCA used a papier-mâché Felix doll in a test as one of the first images ever broadcast by television (1928)
Felix’s last silent film was The Last Life (1928)
Felix the Cat by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra
Felix Kept on Walking by Paul Whiteman
Post-Silent Film Era
Transition from silent to sound unsuccessful as new characters became more popular
1st voiced by Mae Questral (1936)
Animation transitioned to Joe Oriolo (and eventually Don Oriolo), who produced 264 shorts featuring Felix (voiced by Jack Mercer for 29 years)
Felix, now less mischievous, using a “bag of tricks” became his trademark
First full feature film was Felix the Cat: The Movie (1988)
DreamWorks Animations currently own Felix the Cat
Newer Opener
Honors
#28 TV Guide’s Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time (2002)
#89 British Television Channel 4 poll of 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters (2004)
#36 Animal Planet’s 50 Greatest Movie Animals (2004)
Enjoy this tribute
A Frank Angle 